Together, they pressed the attack. Batman threw specialized capsules that released herbicides. James used his thermite grenades. Between them, they systematically destroyed Ivy's plant army.
Ivy fought desperately. Generated more plants. Tried her pheromones on both of them. But Batman had a respirator. James had his chemical countermeasures.
After five minutes of intense combat, Ivy's defenses were depleted. Batman hit her with a tranquilizer dart. She collapsed onto her tree, unconscious.
The remaining plants withered without her active control. The threat ended.
GCPD moved in. Commissioner Gordon surveyed the damage with a weary expression.
"Batman," Gordon called. "Thank you. And is that the new one? Sovereign?"
"Yes," Batman replied. "He assisted with civilian evacuation."
"Assisted hell," one of the officers said. "I saw him save at least twenty people. Fought off those plant monsters like they were nothing."
Gordon nodded slowly. "Well. Tell Sovereign we appreciate the help. But remind him that cooperation with law enforcement would be appreciated too."
"Noted," James said through his helmet's modulation.
Batman and Sovereign grappled away before Gordon could ask more questions.
They met on a rooftop two blocks from the park.
"You didn't wait," Batman said. There was disapproval in his voice.
"Civilians were dying. Waiting meant more deaths."
"You almost got caught. Ivy's pheromones nearly had you."
"But they didn't. AEGIS deployed countermeasures. I was prepared."
Batman studied him. "You're too confident. Confidence gets people killed."
"So does hesitation."
They stood in tense silence for a moment.
Then Batman's expression softened slightly. "You did well. The civilian evacuation was efficient. Your thermite grenades were effective against the plants. Your suit's countermeasures saved your life."
"Thank you."
"But you need to be smarter about choosing your battles. Ivy is a metahuman. You're enhanced, but you're still vulnerable to her powers. If I hadn't arrived, she would have controlled you eventually."
"I know. I'm still learning the limits."
Batman nodded. "Keep learning. Keep training. But stay smart. This city will kill you if you're not careful."
He fired his grapple gun and disappeared into the night.
James stood alone on the rooftop. Another lesson learned. Another weakness identified. Another area to improve.
He was getting better. Stronger. More experienced.
But he still had far to go.
---
One month after his enhancement. Six weeks since his debut as Sovereign.
James stood in his factory's main floor, reviewing his progress with AEGIS.
"Status report: personal capabilities assessment."
AEGIS's voice came through the factory's speaker system. "Physical capabilities: confirmed superhuman level. Strength benchmark: approximately four point two times baseline human maximum. Speed benchmark: three point one times baseline human maximum. Durability: enhanced, capable of withstanding impacts that would be lethal to unenhanced humans. Healing rate: minor wounds close in four to six hours, major wounds in forty-eight to seventy-two hours."
"Combat assessment?"
"Combat capability: master level in thirty-seven martial arts. Real combat experience: six weeks active operations as Sovereign, sixty-four successful engagements, zero fatalities caused, zero missions failed. Threat assessment capability: elite level with AEGIS support, advanced level without support."
"Overall ranking?"
"Global combat ranking estimate: seventy-fourth percentile when considering all enhanced individuals and trained combatants. Street-level operations: ninety-first percentile. Peer comparison to established heroes: Batman assessed at ninety-seventh percentile, Superman at ninety-ninth percentile, Wonder Woman at ninety-ninth percentile."
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